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w/ Canadian Country Star 'Jason McCoy'
Sept 11th, 2020
Hosted by Kim Cyr
Presented by NOW and THEN Magazine
Jason McCoy and Friends
JASON MCCOY ANNOUNCES THE WE ARE 1 WORLD PROJECT OF UNITY
One World. One Song. Your Voice.
Listen Now, Click Music's Journey Podcast Interview w/ Jason McCoy
In the first phase of the newly developed We Are 1 World Project, renowned recording artist Jason McCoy announces the release of ‘We Are One’, a powerful message of hope, recorded by world renowned musicians and singers in isolation from across the world. The COVID-19 virus started with one person and has spread to all parts of the globe, affecting the health and well-being of the entire planet, and “We Are One”, is a song of unity, to celebrate the power of one, together in isolation.
The result is the We Are 1World project, which launched on Friday with the release of the collaborative track We Are One in support of The Red Cross and Global Citizen covid-19 relief efforts, plus a number of other pandemic-related charities.
Joining forces with musicians across the globe to record (from isolation), We Are One is a rousing song of unity, to celebrate the power of one, together in isolation.
It is accompanied by a mosaic video of all artists and musicians performing the track alongside Jason McCoy, and that is a star-studded list. It includes the Harlem Gospel Choir, Ed Robertson (Barenaked Ladies), Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar), Pavlo, Deric Ruttan, Aaron Pritchett, Matty McKay, Tara Slone, Kevin Young (Moist), Dan Davidson, Adam Harvey, Mark Goldenberg (Jackson Browne), Carolyn Dawn Johnson, The Hunter Brothers, Tim Hicks, and Hayley Jensen. Adding an international flavour are Didier Beaumont (France), Zoe Tiganouria (Greece), Jessica Falk (Sweden), and Raghav Mathur (India).
A press release outlines the on-going purpose of the project: "Musicians and singers around the world are encouraged to watch the video, learn the song, then download the lyrics and one of three versions of the backing tracks for free to create/perform their own take of the track.
"Once they have performed and recorded their own version of the song, even if they record it on their phones, they will release their own version by uploading to YouTube and sharing on their own social platforms using the hashtag #weare1worldsong. The idea is to have as many different versions, in as many languages as possible, shared around the world. The We Are 1 World team will then create a second video from all the public submissions of the track."
In a phone interview with FYI yesterday, the always positive McCoy explained more about the initiative. "It is just starting. We rather put the cart before the horse, putting it up on YouTube and our website just to get started. It only came out on iTunes today, but we've already got videos in from China, Ukraine, and Australia, and one from down the road.
"You don’t hear of people giving away the tracks very often. That was our twist to the whole thing, so we're getting lots of e-mails at the website asking 'what are the legalities? We want to use it at our school, what do we do?' We reply 'just take it for free and let her rip.' It is just about having some fun."
The project's website, weare1world.net, features options for donations to the linked charities. "Proceeds from the royalties will go to them too," says McCoy.
McCoy recalls that the writing of the song came relatively smoothly. "There were a couple of early versions we tried and discarded, but as we revised this version we thought ‘Holy smoke, this is something.' It came out great and I’m really happy with it."
"From there, we approached the musicians, like Chris Byrne from the Road Hammers, Clayton Bellamy, who sang on it, and Greg Morrow from Nashville. Then we started on the artists. I was talking about it with my daughter, as New York City was becoming the new epicentre. I said 'I remember the tribute to Aretha Franklin and the Harlem Gospel Choir. They were the best. Can you imagine that?' My daughter found their website and I got a call right back from their manager saying 'that’s a beautiful message to send out to the world.' They recorded their parts in isolation and that was off the hook.
"Everybody lent their time. Nobody got paid, so we'd call people going 'we need this for free, and by tomorrow!"
From composition to recording to release was just 16 days, described by McCoy as "a real whirlwind. I often second-guess things to death. The beauty of this project for me is that it was just a great lesson in letting the music roll. Don’t think about it, go with what feels right, follow your instincts."
He gives credit to producer Russell Broom (Jann Arden) and video producer Sean Smith. “Russell is a good calm guy to have when I’m freaking out. His biggest challenge was getting mic levels sorted, and getting the tones and colours to match, and he did a great job. And without Sean on the video parts, we’d have been sunk.”
"For the video, we said just do your thing. We got everything from super casual to Jessica playing piano atop the frozen lake. Swedes do things over the top! Gordie Johnson was just the flavour we needed. He's like a big wet Saint Bernard coming in with a flaming guitar and making it happen. You need all those flavours."
Unlike so many of his peers, Jason McCoy is in no rush to do the solo live-streaming thing, now that he can't perform in public. "I always feel weird about that. I am involved with a couple of charitable orgs that have asked me to be part of theirs, but I have no plans on my own. As I get a little older, the less I can see of myself on camera the better!"
He does note that the We Are 1World project has helped him deal with social isolation. "It didn’t help family life though cos I have been rather absent. I need now to get back into being attentive as a dad and husband. We’re luckier than most. We have a farm up here, so our kids can walk the dogs or get on a four-wheeler. I feel for kids in condos and apartments."
The We Are 1 World Project is the brainchild of Jason McCoy, songwriter and lead singer of award-winning band The Road Hammers and Jim Payetta, part-time songwriter and businessman who is one of the owners of an OHL Hockey team, The Barrie Colts. The first version of the song ‘We Are One’ was released from Jason McCoy and Friends.
For the full press release, go to https://mailchi.mp/e3f3cb5d2ef7/media-release-jason-mccoy-announces-the-we-are-1-world-project-of-unity
Watch The Video Below
The Award-Winning Group ''The Road Hammers''
The Road Hammers is a Canadian country rock group composed of Jason McCoy, Clayton Bellamy and Chris Byrne. Formed by McCoy as a side project, the trio's music is influenced by 1960s and 1970s trucker music and Southern rock. Their first self-titled album included remakes of several classic truck-driving songs. It was recognized with a Juno Award in 2006, along with numerous Canadian Country Music Association awards. After five years together, the group went on hiatus after one last show on December 31, 2010 in Langley, British Columbia.The group reformed in 2013 and released Wheels in 2014. In May 2017, The Road Hammers released their latest album, The Squeeze. The Road Hammers released their latest single 'Zamboni' in 2019. Watch the official video below.
Latest News
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In Now Certified Platinum
The Road Hammers - Mud (Official)
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The Road Hammers - All Your Favorite Bands
Listen Now, Click Music's Journey Podcast Interview w/ Jason McCoy
Awards To Be Presented In A Drive-In Style Show At New Venue
on the Raceway at Western Fair District
August 28, 2020 (TORONTO)
The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) today announces a new concept and location for the 8th Annual CMAOntario Awards, taking place Sunday, October 4, 2020 in London, Ontario. Presented by Slaight Music with support from Ontario Creates, the CMAOntario Awards will now be a drive-in style event on The Raceway at the Western Fair District featuring performances by Tim Hicks, James Barker Band, The Reklaws, Jade Eagleson, The Abrams, Eric Ethridge, Genevieve Fisher, Kelsi Mayne, Les Rats d’Swompe, Nicole Rayy, The Western Swing Authority, and special guest Kalsey Kulyk!
“On behalf of the CMAOntario and its members, we’re thrilled that the show can go on! Our wonderful partners at Western Fair District are working closely with us to present an unrivalled, one-of-a-kind experience”, said Steve Kassay, President of CMAOntario. “From the performing artists to the fans to the volunteers – we’re ready to have some fun!”
Hosted by Jason McCoy, the 8th Annual CMAOntario Awards will celebrate the talent and achievements of Ontario’s country music industry across 18 categories.
The CMAOntario drive-in award show will include performances by: platinum selling CCMA Award winner Tim Hicks, who is up for four CMAOntario Awards in 2020; platinum-selling and Juno and CCMA awards winners the James Barker Band, who are nominated for five awards at the CMAOntario Awards; platinum selling duo The Reklaws, who are up for six CMAOntario Awards; 2019 CMAOntario and CCMA Rising Star Award winner and gold-certified artist Jade Eagleson, who is nominated for Fans’ Choice and Male Artist of the Year at the 2020 Awards; two-time CMAOntario Award winners The Abrams, up for two CMAOntario Awards this year; and Eric Ethridge, with special guest Kalsey Kulyk, who is up for Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year at the 2020 CMAOntario Awards.
Fans will also be treated to performances by: Female Artist of the Year nominee Genevieve Fisher; Rising Star award nominee Kelsi Mayne; Francophone Artist or Group of the Year nominee Les Rats d’Swompe; Female Artist of the Year nominee Nicole Rayy; and the CMAOntario Awards house band The Western Swing Authority, who are also up for three categories at the 2020 CMAOntario Awards.
“Tourism London is extremely proud to partner with CMAOntario on this event,” said Cheryl Finn of Tourism London. “We are proud of the creative pivot from the original plans by the organizers as dictated by the current pandemic and are confident that our community will support such an imaginative and safe initiative.”
The CMAOntario Festival and Awards were originally scheduled for June 2020, before a postponement to October 1 – 4, 2020. Due to challenges and restrictions presented by COVID-19, CMAOntario has cancelled accompanying festival events for 2020 including the Legacy Revival, New Faces Showcase, Tailgate Concert, and Conference. The previously announced presentation of the 2020 Impact Award to country music legend Carroll Baker will be postponed until 2021.
The CMAOntario Awards are presented by Slaight Music with support from Ontario Creates.
CMAOntario Award Show
Sunday, October 4, 2020 at 7pm
Western Fair District on The Raceway
316 Rectory Street, London, Ontario
All previously purchased tickets will be honoured for the new location.
Refund requests will be accepted up to September 2, 2020.
Tickets will be available for purchase at the gate for guests
who will occupy the same vehicle of previous ticket buyers.
For those who have confirmed reservations at the Delta Armouries Hotel for the May
event, can contact the hotel directly at 519.679.6111
to cancel or change your reservation to the new dates.
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Website: www.cmaontario.ca
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